An adaptive bandwidth clock and data recovery circuit and method are provided. The adaptive bandwidth clock and data recovery circuit includes a voltage controlled oscillator for outputting a phase of a clock. In addition, a phase detector is included for determining a phase difference between received data and the clock. Further, a charge pump is included for outputting a current as a function of the phase difference, the current utilized for generating a control voltage provided to the voltage controlled oscillator. Still yet, an adaptive bandwidth control is included for providing the voltage controlled oscillator with an adaptive bandwidth based on the phase difference.